A VOLUNTEER group which helps lonely pensioners get out and about in their community has been handed a huge boost thanks to the Health Lottery.

Jane Ellison MP, centre, joined by, left to right Chris Lunn, Martin Ellice, Sue Cohen and John Hume

Run by local parents, the Women of Wandsworth (WoW) intergenerational project works tirelessly to provide older people with the opportunity to bond with their community.

Today, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, Jane Ellison, met with Martin Ellice, group joint managing director of The Health Lottery, at a community centre in south London.

They joined local school children from the project to speak about the Hindu festival of Diwali before joining in with elderly visitors at a craft workshop which included henna painting.

The WoW initiative has so far received a £18,840 grant which will be spent on hosting further events for elderly people in the neighbourhood.

During her visit, Ms Ellison was able to learn more about the way the Health Lottery had benefitted local health charities right across Britain.

Tim Clarke

Ishan Faisal, 10, offering a garland of flowers to Jane as she arrived

Mr Ellice told her that since its launch in 2011 more than £70million has been raised supporting more than 2,000 projects across the country.

WoW was set up by a concerned group of single mothers who were worried that the elderly would become stranded in their care home when their Residents' Association shut.

It began as an idea but thanks to funding provided by People's Health Trust, using money raised by HealthFreedom CIC through The Health Lottery, their ambitious plans for an inclusive community group have become a fully-fledged reality.

The Health Lottery's vital cash injection will allow the project to continue to host a variety of community events, including weekly coffee mornings and IT workshops after funding cuts to the local council led to the cancellation of events regularly attended by the residents of nearby Haven Lodge care home.

Tim Clarke

Jane Ellison, centre, during her visit to the Women of Wandsworth Intergenerational project

Alongside regular meetings the group also organises a series of cultural events marking significant religious and historic festivals to celebrate the diverse community.

Recently it has held celebrations to mark Christmas, Diwali, Eid, Chinese New Year, Pancake Day and Valentine's Day.

So far, more than 5.5 million lucky winners have celebrated winning a share of £100million in prizes.